Trump talks about Jacksonville native during speech to Congress

Jacksonville native Denisha Merriweather earned high praise from President Donald Trump during his first address to Congress Tuesday night.

After failing third grade twice, Merriweather said she was able to enroll in a private center for learning with the help of a tax credit scholarship program.

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“Today, she is the first in her family to graduate not just from high school, but from college,” Trump said. “Later this year, she will get her master's degree in social work. We want all children to be able to break the cycle of poverty just like Denisha.”

Merriweather received a standing ovation from Trump, vice president Mike Pence and speaker Paul Ryan.

Looking at this from a policy standpoint, the Washington Post reports Trump may have highlighted Merriweather's story in part to touch on his promise to spent $20 billion on expanding vouchers and other alternatives to traditional public schools.

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Cox Media Group